Beer Guide 2014: North Coast Day Sip

As an ode to Astoria’s native Goonies, Fort George sells a
T-shirt adorned with Sloth’s “suspenders.” It looks good with Vortex
IPA, which sports a perfect body with tropical punches of Simcoe,
Centennial and Amarillo. In February, when it’s cold, sample myriad
versions of Cavatica Stout, including black walnut, chili and
whiskey-aged iterations. Otherwise get a Vortex upstairs at this
recently expanded pub, which has panoramic views and upscale pizza.

For those not addicted to elephant ears, there’s finally a
reason to trek out to Seaside. Seaside Brewing’s building—formerly city
hall—had a drunk tank where the bar now sits. But even more captivating
is the brewpub’s ultra-fresh seafood and house-smoked brisket
threatening to overshadow the beer. Warm up with the 5 Mil Strong Ale,
or really fire up the party with Black Dynamite, an imperial stout with
bourbon-soaked vanilla beans and cacao nibs.

Cannon Beach has two bars mere paces from each other, both
with majestic ocean views and a suitable pint of Bill’s 2x4 Stout. If
you see the Stranger at Bill’s, don’t wave it off: It’s a rum
barrel-aged IPA that’ll have you talking like a pirate by pint’s end.
And the Oatmeal Imperial Red packs such a spicy hop kick you’d swear it
contains rye instead of velvety oats.

De Garde brewer Trevor Rogers knows visiting beer geeks
love his spontaneously fermented brews better than Coasties. Now, De
Garde has a taproom where tourists can taste his sour Berliners or Senne
lambics. The infinitely sessionable Bu Weisse is a genteel 2.1 percent
(see page 16). Many of Roger’s concoctions include grapes or were aged
in local wine barrels, like the Tempranillo Desay. If you need a cheese
pairing, Tillamook has plenty.